Thai police ready to use lèse majesté law against protesters who offend the Monarchy

13 Sept 17:55 Key points summarised by AI

Thai police are prepared to strictly invoke the lèse majesté law (Section 112) against any protesters found to be offending or insulting the Monarchy.
This firm stance follows Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's directive for the government to strictly enforce every existing law against those who offend the Monarchy.
Authorities also intend to ask the courts to withdraw bail from protest leaders already facing multiple charges, citing alleged violations of their bail conditions.

Speculation growing over merger between Bhumjaithai and Kla Tham parties

Yesterday 16:46 Key points summarised by AI

A dinner between Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul and Kla Tham leader Capt. Thamanat Prompow ignited widespread speculation about a potential merger between their parties.
The meeting is viewed as a strategic message to coalition partner Pheu Thai, indicating Bhumjaithai's alternative options following Pheu Thai's chief whip's remarks about not fully defending all ministers in the upcoming no-confidence debate.
A direct merger between parties with sitting MPs is currently prohibited by Section 99 of the Constitution until the House's term expires, though MPs can switch parties through dismissal or party dissolution.
These constitutional rules aim to prevent financially strong parties from easily absorbing smaller ones, a practice that historically led to single-party dominance, as seen with Thai Rak Thai's 2005 election victory.